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I was thinking of writing some thoughts on free style, jiyu waza from teachers and senpais, but probably next time, because today the weather is typically early autumn and I am reminded of the different ways people think of autumn.

I once gave a little presentation for the ladies of the Long Ridge Book and Garden club. Some of you may remember I mentioned it in the blog entry Alma Mater where I mentioned the song Matsushima, where many elderly ladies got up and did the rowing exercise I showed them with the chant that accompanies the melody. Oops, maybe, I too am getting elderly so I shouldn't call them that. But I was impressed by their eagerness to participate in the spirit of the folk song.

One of them, at the tea that followed those once a month Monday gatherings in the local firehouse auditorium, mentioned that she had visited Japan and was impressed by the yellow leaves all around in a scene they had visited. Yes, there are other impressive colors besides the famous reds and oranges.

I was touched that they took to the topic so well.

In the beginning of the presentation, I mentioned that I had read that in Japan, spring flowers are considered very beautiful, of course, but autumn also is considered equal, and some say it surpasses spring in beauty. In fact, in the Tale of Genji, I seem to remember the court ladies and gentlemen had contests as to who could produce the most beautiful garden. One team picked spring, the other picked autumn. The garden club ladies found this idea fascinating.

This program was years ago, and many of the ladies are no longer with us, at least not in corporeal form. I miss them, but in memory they add a deeper dimension to life, of ideas, thoughts and feelings shared. This too is part of the Japanese autumn, like the deer crying out in the hills of autumn so much a part of Japanese literature.

In contrast we have the bracing air and renewed studies for scholars here in the west. As a reader from Israel mentioned in a previous comment, it is the start of the Jewish New Year and I personally think it is a good time for thoughts of renewed efforts and projects even for those of us who may follow different calendars. For example for the Christian world, January first, which some say was picked for the proximity to the solstice. For the Bahai's I think it is the first day of spring by the Western calendar, so that is another way of looking at "new beginnings."

In Asia, here's an interesting thought for those born in February. If you have been fascinated by the "Asian Zodiac" you may have to choose between the Japanese calendar, which now begins at the same time as the Western, on January first, and the Chinese, which follows the lunar calendar, usually sometime in February. You have to look up your particular year!

Anyway, enjoy the weather's variety, if you live in an area like ours, and the various activities inspired by the brisker weather that is typical of autumn.

Some years we can smell the wild grapes and then go looking to find them. I have to remember to look next year, the breeze didn't bring any reminders this year..... As for pears, the animals always beat us to them.... before they are even beginning to ripen...

Thanks for the beautiful picture, Carina. They are strong, and at the same time, delicate. What an interesting contrast to think about.
And about figs, sometimes fresh figs are available in the stores and they are a rare treat!

Thank you Diana. The weather in our island is like in Francis place,we have deserts wind coming from the Sahara too and there is not much changes in the season, maybe the smells are different, just on my walk I smelt the sweetness of a fig tree, but the figs are not ripe yet. As Francis said we appreciate the changes you bring! So I'like to put you a photo of a flower you find everywhere on the island

Carina and Francis, thanks for sharing a glimpse of other places! There's an old saying here in New England "If you don't like the weather, wait a minute...." And as for the seasons, each has its tough points and its enjoyable points. Thought about other places and enjoy hearing about them, but we stayed here so far....

In Southern California, there appears to be no appreciable change in seasons. On occasion, we have the Santa Ana winds that sweep from the desert towards the sea, dropping the humidity so low that devastating fires occasionally occur. Yet, we share in the seasonal changes that you bring Daian, and for that, we are grateful!

Thank you Diana for sharing your always interesting memories, autumn here in the northern hemisphere and spring in the southern, my mother in Argentina just told me yesterday, that she was happy because it is getting warmer and everywhere are flowers magnolia, peaches and the plum blossom falled down already. Can you imagine Christmas and New year in summer, but being a child we had a Christmas tree with false snow too .